Vacuum motor for operating a pump



Aug. 2, 193s. J. J] RYAN 2,125,463

VACUUM MO'TOR FOR OPERATING A PUMP Aug. 2, 1938. J; J. RYAN VACUUM MOTOR FOR OPERATING A PUMP Filed Aug. 26, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1NVENTO1L ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 2, 1938 VACUUM MOTOR FOR OPERATING A PUMP John J. Ryan, Chicago, Ill.

Application August 26, 1936, Serial No. 97,939

8 Claims. (Cl. 121-123) UNETED STATES lATEN'l OFFlCE This invention relates to animproved vacuum operated pump which may be operated by suction from any source, but is especially adapted for use in conjunction with an internal combustion engine.

One ci the principal objects of advantage and importance of the device oi this invention resides in the provision of means whereby a low pressure pump and a high pressure pump are both concentrically positioned within a single casing.

AnotherV and further important object of advantage resides in the provision of means for automatically operating the device.

Still another important advantage of the im'- proved pump oi this invention is the provision of means for cushioning the driving or vacuum piston at each end of its travel in the cylinder.

A still further object of importance resides in the provision of means for cooling the cylinders while the device is in'operation.

Additional objects of advantage and importance will become app-arent as the following detailed description progresses, reference being had 'to the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. l is a longitudinal section of a vacuum operated pump which embodies the invention. This View is taken on line l-l of Fig. 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows,

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. l, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows,

Fig. 3 is a fragmental section of the vacuum piston taken on line 9-3 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the vacuum piston plate,

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the rotary valve, and

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the vacuum piston, parts thereof being removed or broken away.

As shown in the drawings:

The reference numeral it) indicates in general a vacuum cylinder which in the preferred embodiment of the invention has an open end and a closed end. Formed on the closed end thereof is a restricted projection it which is provided with two discharge openings it and it. The dis charge opening ifi is adapted to be connected with a source of suction for operating the device, while the other opening it allows the passage of a pipe 59 which conveys compressed air from the pump.

The peripheral surface adjacent the open end of the Vacuum cylinder lil is threaded to receive a correspondingly threaded head Eil.

Projecting from the head 2E! is an air cylinder 22 which in the preferred embodiment of the invention is formed integral therewith, as is best 5 shown in Fig. 1. The vacuum cylinder iii is of greater diameter than the air cylinder 22 and when joined the cylinders are in` alignment as is clearly shown in the drawings. A plurality of air inlet ports 23 are at the upper end of the 10 air cylinder 22.

Operably positioned within the vacuum cylinder is a piston 2li which has a tubular piston rod 25 extending into the air cylinder 2E. The piston 2li and rod 2G are rigidly and irmly joined 15 together to provide an air-tight joint. A plurality of air inlet openings 28 are provided adjecent the upper end of the piston rod 2S. A conventional pliable washer 2l having the inner edge turned downwardly is provided to prevent the passage of air from the air cylinder 22 into the vacuum cylinder iii.

Positioned within the tubular piston rod 26 and rigidly secured thereto at both the top and the bottom is a tubular member 39. The lower end of the tubular member 59 extends below the end of the piston rod 26 and is adapted to have a pump piston 32 attached thereto. A ball check valve 3ft is provided to allow the entry but prevent the escape of air from the interior of the tubular member 30 into the air cylinder 22.

The upper end of the tubular piston rod 26 is restricted to contact and form an air-tight joint, indicated by the reference numeral 36, with the upper portion of the tubular member 3o. The Y35 lower ends of the piston rod 2S and the tubular member B are maintained in aligned relation by the spacing blocks 4Q, as is best shown` in Fig. l.

The extreme upper end of the tubular member 30 is turned outwardly at i2 to provide a means li0 for maintaining a pliable washer lili in operable position to prevent the passage of air into the upper portion of the piston 2li. A coil spring l5 provides an expansive force against the pliable washer dii. 45

Secured within the vacuum cylinder iii and extending downwardly into the tubular member 3i! is a cylindrical member 138. The upper end of the member A8 is beveled to contact and form an air-tight joint 5@ with the interior of the re- 150 stricted portion i 2 of the vacuum cylinder it. The lower end of the cylindrical member t3 carries a pump piston 52. A conventional ball check valve 54 is associated with the piston to prevent leakage of compressed air.r The check 55 valve 54 in association with a screw threaded nut provides a means for connecting together members 48 and 58 at their lower ends as is best shown in Fig. 1.

Located at the lower end of the cylindrical Amember 48 a plurality of vacuum ports 58.

Positioned within the cylindrical member 48 and having ends projecting therebeyon-d is a tubular member 58 which serves as a passagewayT for conveying compressed air from the pump and also provides means for securing the cylindrical rnember 48 in position. 'I'he end of the tubular member 58 which projects through the end of the restricted portion of the vacuum cylinder is threaded at60 -a means for removing oil from the tubular member and spray it into the vacuum cylinder. Steel Vwool 66 or other filtering medium Vis inclosed within the tubular member 58.

The vacuum piston 24 is provided with a plurality of spaced passageways 68 which lead to the topvsurface cf the piston and a plurality of spacedy passageways 'I0 which lead to the under side of the piston. The passageways 68 and 18 open on the inner surface of the piston 24 in alternate sequence as is best shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Operably positioned in rotatable engagement with the inner surface ci the piston 24 isi an annular valve 12. A portion '|4Aof the valve: 12 projects into a recess 16 in the piston and is adapted to be moved back and forth in said recess by suction, thus rotatingthe entire annular valve.

A plurality of apertures 18 in staggered alignment are formed in the annular valve l2. The apertures 'l8are spaced to register with the passageways 68 and 1D in the piston. As the annular valve 'l2 is rotated and the apertures therein come into registry with the Vpassageways 'l0 there is established an outlet for either the upper or lower portion of the cylinderV l0. y

Passageways 8l extending from the pocket or recess 16 to the top and bottom of the piston 24 are interrupted by pin valves 80, as is best shown in Figs. 2 and 3. These passageways are so located thatl when the pin valves` 80 are moved to the endof their travel. air is admitted to one side of the pocket 16, which houses the flattened portion 14 of the rotary valve 12, and suction is created on the other side thus moving the entire rotary valve so that the openings therein come into registry with the proper passageways for operating the piston- The passageways leading to the top surface of the piston 24 are continued to the inner side of the rotary valve 12 by grooves 82 in the piston plate 84. The plate 84 is slightly larger than the diameter of the annular valve 12 which it covers.

Each pin valve 88 is provided with a restricted central porti-enand a small ring groove near each end. The purpose of the ring groove is to receive-a spring wire ring 88 which prevents the pin from being withdrawn or forced from its socket.

Fixed-in each endof the pin valves 80 is a coil spring 88 -which serves as a cushioning member to lessen the impact of the pin against the end of the cylinder.

A spring washer 98 is positioned on each pin valve to prevent any possibility of the pin inadvertently moving from its proper operating position.

A pliable washer 92 provides a sii-ding air-tight joint between the piston plate and the tubular member 43.

In operation the incoming air which enters the ports 23 travels downwardly through the space between the restricted cylinder 22 and the hollow piston rod 26 and thence a portion travels upwardly between the hollow piston rod 26 and the tubular member 38 and provides a meansfor disseminating heat generated by these parts. The rariedair coming in contact with the cylinder lil and the tubular members 48 and 58provides a cooling medium therefcr.

In operation the discharge opening I4 of the device is connected to a vacuum creating source such as the intake passageway of an internal combustion engine which provides the necessary operating energy. The pilot valves llcontrol the vacuum to opposite sides'of the n portion 14. of the annular valve 'I2 which allowsY suction from the vacuum creating source to rotate the annular valve 'l2 so that'tne ports '13, 'I8 are in registry with the passageways 1U, 'I0 thus evacuating lthe air from the lower portion of the cylinder. The air leaving the cylinder passes downwardly through the space between the member 48 and the member 35i then through the openingsr56, 55a and thence upwardly between the member 48 and v'the member 58, andvoutwardly through the discharge memberv l4. Y

The piston 24 is forced downwardly until the pin valve 88 contacts the bottom of the cylinder. The movement of the pin or pilot valve opens the vacuum passageway on the opposite side of Ythe pocket 16 and causes the annular valve to rotate suiciently to align the ports 18, 18 with the passageways 18, 18. The piston 24 is then forced upwardly until the pin valve 80 contacts the upper portion of the cylinder. The operation of the pin or pilot valve 80 is clearly shown in Fig. 3.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that herein is provided a compact, sturdy and efcient vacuum operated pump which may be economically manufactured.

I am aware that various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention here shown and described without departing from the principles and teaching involved and I do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon other than is necessitated by the prior art and the terminology of the appendedv claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a vacuum operated pump, a'reciprocating motor having a recessed piston, said piston being provided with a plurality of spaced passageways, opening into said recess, said passageways alternately leading to the top and to the bottom of said piston, an annular valve having a plurality of spacedportsV therein positioned within said recess, and means for rotating said annular valve tocause the ports therein to move into and out of j said piston, an annular valve having a plurality Lil) of spaced ports therein positioned within said recess, and means for rotating said annular valve to cause the ports therein to move into and out of registry with the spaced passageways in said recessed piston, said means comprising a portion of said annular valve extending into a valved passageway between the air and the vacuum sides of said piston.

3. In a vacuum operated pump, a reciprocating motor having a recessed piston, said piston being provided with a plurality of spaced passageways opening into said recess, said passageways alternately leading to the top and to the bottom of said piston, an annular valve having a plurality of spaced ports therein positioned within said recess, and means for rotating said annular valve to cause the ports therein to move into and out of registry with the spaced passageways in said recessed piston, said means comprising a flattened portion of said annular valve extending into a passageway between the air and vacuum sides of the piston.

4. In a vacuum operated pump, a reciprocating motor having a recessed piston, said piston being provided with a plurality of spaced passageways opening into said recess, said passageways alternately leading to the top and to the bottom of said piston, an annular valve having a plurality of spaced ports therein positioned within said recess, and means for rotating said annular valve to cause the ports therein to move into and out of registry with the spaced passageways in said recessed piston, said means comprising a flattened portion of said annular valve extending into a passageway between the air and vacuum sides of the piston and a pin valve positioned in said passageway on each side of said flattened portion of the annular valve. Y 5. In a vacuum operated pum a reciprocating motor having a recessed piston, an annular valve having a plurality of openings therein positioned within said recess, a pocket formed in the piston intermediate the ends of the passageways extending from the air to the vacuum sides of the piston, a ilattened portion of the annular valve projecting into said pocket and separating said passageways, and a pin valve positioned in each passageway, said pin valves being adapted to concurrently open and close an air and a vacuum portion of each passageway.

6. In a vacuum operated pump, a reciprocating motor having a recessed piston, an annular valve having a plurality of openings therein positioned within said recess, a pocket formed in the piston intermediate the ends of the passage- Ways extending from the air to the vacuum sides of the piston, a flattened portion of the annular valve projecting into said pocket and separating said passageways, a pin valve positioned in each passageway, said pin valves being adapted to concurrently open and close an air and a vacuum portion of each passageway, and means for preventing the free movement of said pin valves.

7. In a vacuum operated pum a reciprocating motor having a recessed piston, an annular valve having a plurality of openings therein positioned within said recess, a pocket formed in the piston intermediate the ends of the passageways extending from the air to the vacuum sides of the piston, a flattened portion of the annular valve projecting into said pocket and separating said passageways, a pin valve positioned in each passageway, said pin valves being adapted on contact with the end of the cylinder to concurrently open and close an air and a vacuum portion of each passageway, and spring means for cushioning the impact of such contact.

8. In a vacuum operated pump, a reciprocating motor having a recessed piston, an annular valve having a plurality of openings therein positioned within said recess, a pocket formed in the piston intermediate the ends of the passageways extending from the air to the vacuum sides of the piston, a flattened portion of the annular valve projecting into said pocket and separating said passageways, a pin valve positioned in each passageway, said pin valves being adapted on contact with the end of the cylinder to concurrently open and close an air and a vacuum portion of each passageway, spring means for cushioning the impact of such contact, and a grooved plate covering the openings of the said passageways in the top of the piston.

JOHN J. RYAN. 

